Vice President, Strategy and Chief of Staff

Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) is Wisconsin's largest and most diverse technical college, offering 170+ high-quality programs that connect students to a career in as little as one to two years. The college also offers a less expensive path to a four-year degree. MATC is transforming lives, industry and our community by preparing students today for the careers of tomorrow. Together, we are meeting the needs of the community we share and are focused on students with the greatest needs. We are seeking passionate individuals to join our team who shares the same passion in serving this purpose. Learn more about MATC at www.matc.edu.

Serves as the President's chief strategic advisor and senior confidant, functioning as the primary liaison between the President and all internal and external stakeholders. Provides executive leadership and oversight for strategic planning, institutional research and effectiveness, external/internal communications, marketing, and government relations.

Acts as the President's principal deputy, coordinating cross-divisional initiatives, managing high-priority presidential projects, and ensuring seamless execution of institutional priorities. Represents the President and institution at high-level meetings, events, and functions while serving as primary spokesperson for the college.

Executive Operations: Serve as the President's chief strategic advisor and senior confidant on all institutional matters. Manage the President's priorities, presidential and executive communications, the President's schedule, and strategic initiatives to maximize effectiveness. Coordinate and facilitate senior leadership team meetings and strategic planning sessions. Serve as primary liaison between the President and Board of Directors, faculty, staff, students, and external stakeholders. In the absence of the President, or when strategically beneficial, serve as the institution's official representative and spokesperson.

Strategic Project Management: Lead and coordinate high-priority presidential initiatives and cross-divisional projects. Ensure alignment of institutional activities with presidential priorities and strategic goals. Manage special assignments and sensitive institutional matters on behalf of the President. Oversee presidential communications including speeches, presentations, and key messaging. Coordinate institutional crisis management and communications as needed.

Institutional Leadership: Participate as a senior member of the executive leadership team in strategic decision-making. Facilitate knowledge sharing and collaboration across all divisions and departments. Serve as institutional memory and ensure continuity of leadership initiatives. Represent the institution at high-level external meetings and events when designated by the President.

Strategic Stakeholder Management: Build and maintain strategic relationships with key external stakeholders including media, government officials, industry partners, community leaders, and advocacy groups. Foster deep relationships with community organizations to enhance college presence and impact. Represent college at high-level external events and function as primary spokesperson. Manage college advisory committee relationships ensuring meaningful input into program development. Direct community engagement programs and corporate social responsibility initiatives.

Industry & Business Partnerships: Develop and maintain partnerships with business and industry leaders to support program development and student success. Coordinate with industry partners to evaluate programs and implement changes. Build strategic alliances that advance institutional priorities and student outcomes. Facilitate knowledge sharing and collaboration opportunities with external partners.

Government Relations Leadership: Lead government relations efforts and public affairs initiatives at local, state, and federal levels. Develop and maintain relationships with elected officials, regulators, and policy makers. Monitor legislative and regulatory developments that could impact the organization. Create advocacy strategies to advance organizational priorities and secure favorable policy outcomes.

Public Affairs Management: Manage external government relations experts including contract lobbyists. Build coalitions with industry associations and advocacy groups. Organize government official briefings and facility tours. Coordinate institutional responses to policy initiatives and regulatory changes. Serve as primary liaison with Wisconsin Technical College System on legislative matters.

Strategic Communications: Develop and implement integrated strategic communication plans to advance MATC's brand identity, enrollment goals, programs and priorities: Create marketing and public relations strategies that implement MATC's brand and mission: Create and implement annual strategic internal and external messaging plans utilizing all communication platforms: Serve as primary spokesperson and media contact for the institution.

Brand Management & Marketing: Increase visibility and appreciation of the college's value and offerings to a broad base of key stakeholders: Identify challenges and emerging issues affecting organizational mission and define appropriate communication strategies. Support student recruitment marketing and initiatives to advance enrollment goals. Oversee institutional marketing materials, publications, and digital presence.

Strategic Planning Leadership: Lead development and implementation of institutional strategic planning processes. Facilitate strategic planning sessions and ensure alignment with presidential priorities. Coordinate strategic plan implementation across all divisions and departments. Monitor progress toward strategic goals and provide regular updates to leadership.

Institutional Research and Effectiveness Oversight: Oversee institutional research, data analysis, and reporting functions. Ensure effective assessment and evaluation of institutional programs and services. Support accreditation processes and compliance with regulatory requirements. Facilitate continuous improvement initiatives across the institution.

Performance Management: Monitor institutional key performance indicators and present findings to leadership. Support data-informed decision making processes throughout the organization. Coordinate institutional reporting requirements for internal and external stakeholders. Ensure alignment between institutional effectiveness activities and strategic priorities.

Cross-Divisional Leadership: Coordinate activities and initiatives across all institutional divisions. Facilitate communication and collaboration between departments and divisions. Resolve cross-functional challenges and ensure seamless operations. Lead institutional committees and task forces as assigned by the President

Change Management: Lead organizational change initiatives and transformation projects. Facilitate adoption of new policies, procedures, and strategic directions. Manage institutional responses to internal and external challenges. Ensure effective communication of changes throughout the organization.

Executive Leadership & Management

• Exceptional leadership and management skills with thorough understanding of higher education administration
• Demonstrated ability to serve effectively as senior advisor and confidant to executive leadership
• Strong organizational and project management capabilities with ability to manage multiple high-priority initiatives
• Proven ability to represent organization at highest levels and serve as institutional spokesperson
• Strategic Thinking & Planning
• Advanced strategic thinking and planning capabilities with ability to translate vision into actionable plans
• Knowledge of institutional effectiveness principles and practices
• Ability to think systemically and understand complex organizational dynamics
• Experience in change management and organizational transformation
  

External Relations & Marketing

• Experience in community engagement and partnership development
• Knowledge of marketing, branding, and communications best practices
• Understanding of alumni relations and engagement strategies
• Ability to represent institution at high-level external events and functions
• Communication & Relationship Building
• Exceptional interpersonal and relationship building skills across diverse stakeholder groups
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills with ability to represent institution professionally
• Proven ability to build and maintain strategic relationships with external stakeholders
• Experience in crisis communication and sensitive issue management

Technical & Administrative Skills

• Knowledge of budgeting and financial management practices
• Proficiency in data analysis and institutional research methods
• Advanced proficiency in technology platforms and information systems
• Understanding of accreditation and regulatory compliance requirements

Personal Qualities

• High degree of personal integrity, discretion, and confidentiality
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and manage competing priorities
• Strong emotional intelligence and cultural competency
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion principles

Compliance with all state, federal, and accreditation standards/requirement, as well as all MATC policies and procedures.

Required Education: Master's degree in relevant field (public affairs, public relations, marketing, higher education administration, business administration, or related field).

Preferred Education: Doctorate (PhD/EdD) in relevant field.

Required Experience:

• Minimum ten (10) years of progressively responsible senior management experience, preferably in higher education
• Minimum five (5) years of experience in executive-level or chief of staff roles
• Demonstrated experience serving in senior advisory capacity to executive leadership
• Experience in strategic planning and organizational management
• Experience with external stakeholder management and government relations

Preferred Experience:

• Twelve (12) or more years of relevant senior leadership experience
• Experience as chief of staff or senior advisor in higher education or similar complex organization
• Experience in marketing, communications, or public relations
• Experience working with governing boards and elected officials
• Experience in Wisconsin Technical College System or similar systems
• Experience in alumni relations and institutional advancement

Start Date: This position supports the Institutional Strategy Division and reports directly to the President, Dr. Cruz. Tentative start date October 12 (preferably) or October 26.

Salary Information: Salary is listed to the midpoint of the range and placement is determined based on years of experience, internal salary equity, and a review of the applicant's employment and educational background as listed on the fully completed job application.

• One way video interview through Spark Hire, August 28 - September 3
• Virtual Panel Interviews, September 8
• Final in-person interviews September 11 - and September 16
• Candidates from out of state will be reimbursed for travel